The Dalí Museum

A jewel in the crown of St. Pete's vibrant arts and culture scene, The Dalí Museum houses a mind-bending collection of art by the legendary Salvador Dalí in an equally awe-inspiring structure on the city's downtown waterfront.

See an unparalleled collection of the legendary artist's paintings.

Dalí, an artist, celebrity and cultural icon, was a leading force in the Surrealist movement – though many visitors may be surprised to see the enormous variety of his art here at the museum. His early works include landscapes, portraits and still lifes, while his later works capture fascinating double images and feature immense religious paintings. Dalí also explored optical illusions, geometry and holography. The museum's permanent collection houses more than 2,400 works by Dalí, from prints and objects d'art to photographs and paintings.

Van Gogh Alive exhibit at the Dali Museum

Amazing Van Gogh Alive Exhibit Comes to the Dalí Museum

Now through June 13, 2021, the museum will host a major exhibit of more than 3,000 Van Gogh images, all scaled to enormous proportions through the use of high-definition projectors. This novel art installation is meant to give visitors the sensation of being immersed in Van Gogh's paintings, an experience that's enhanced by surround-sound with a compelling classical score. Van Gogh Alive is included in museum admission and advance ticket purchase with timed entry is required for all guests, including museum members. (Note that, due to the popularity of this special exhibit, tickets are now extremely limited through the end of its run.) The Dalí is the first art museum in North America to host this unforgettable exhibit.

The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

Highlights of the Permanent Collection

Dalí's most well-known painting (housed at New York City's MoMA) is The Persistence of Memory, which depicts melting clocks in a landscape. At The Dalí Museum, you can see its companion piece - the painting The Disintegration of The Persistence of Memory. Other famous works on view are Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire and Old Age, Adolescence, and Infancy (The Three Ages), both appreciated for their surreal tromp l'oeil trickery. Many visitors get lost in thought in front of Dalí's large masterworks that include The Hallucinogenic Toreador, The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, The Ecumenical Council and Galacidalacidesoxiribunucleicacid - Homage to Crick and Watson. Of the 18 masterworks Dalí produced, eight are located in the St. Pete museum, the most found in any one location.

The Ecumenical Council by Salvador Dali, 1960

Special Exhibits at the Dalí

Two exhibits offer innovative ways to connect with Dalí's art. In Dalí's Masterworks in Augmented Reality, guests can view masterworks using AR technology to gain a deeper understanding of their complex images and meaning. In Dalí Lives, artificial intelligence technology creates a reimagined Dalí, allowing museum visitors to hear from the artist himself.

An Architectural Marvel

Visitors can expect to be just as enchanted with the museum structure itself as they are the artwork it contains. The stunning building, designed by architect Yann Weymouth and completed in 2011, combines simple elements (such as a rectangular cement structure with 18-inch thick, hurricane-proof walls) with more fantastical elements, such as a geodesic bubble made of glass called the "Enigma." Inside, the museum's famous helical staircase nods to the artist's obsession with spiral shapes.

Lady holding a cellphone showing the Dali museum webpage

Virtual Tours & The Museum App

Several virtual experiences are available to explore the museum and its collection. You can also download The Dalí Museum App to access Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, maps, schedule information and more.

Families will want to check out the museum's virtual education programs, such as DillyDally with Dalí, to inspire kids to be creative through arts and crafts activities. A full lists of events and programs is available at thedali.org/events.

Cheesecake with blackberries at the Cafe Gala at the Dali Museum

When You Visit

Tickets. To ensure a safe environment for visitors and staff, the museum requires that guests purchase timed tickets online in advance of their visit. Special hours for seniors are offered each Wednesday and Thursday. Guests of any age can enjoy reduced admission price tickets on Thursday and Friday evenings after 5 p.m.

Cafe Gala. The museum's cafe offers Spanish-themed light fare, with indoor and outdoor seating options, as well as to-go items. After your visit, stop in for a coffee and a Crema Catalana.

The Museum Store. Be sure to save time for a visit to the museum's store, which offers very unique gift items such as Dalí-themed apparel, artwork, tableware, watches and jewelry.